Average
#1254 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 47% in state
Polk Central Elementary School
Elementary School · Polk County Schools
2141 South NC9 Hwy, Mill Spring, NC 28756
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mill Spring
#2 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#945 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 7
Polk County Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Polk Central Elementary School
Polk Central Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in the rural town of Mill Spring, North Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 382 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers, Polk Central aims to provide personalized attention to each child's educational needs.
Academically, the school has received a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks at #1075 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it around the 60th percentile. In terms of proficiency rates for ELA/Reading and Math, 56% of students are proficient or above in reading, while 64% meet or exceed standards in math. These scores indicate that there is room for improvement but also highlight areas where Polk Central's students perform well.
Polk Central Elementary School is situated in a rural setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere. The school's location near the address of South NC9 Highway makes it easily accessible to local families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Polk Central Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Polk Central Elementary School — Students at Polk Central Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.
How Polk Central Elementary School Compares
See how Polk Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 65.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 53% (2025).
Location
2141 South NC9 Hwy, Mill Spring, NC 28756
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polk Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rutherfordton Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sunny View Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 6.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Chesnee), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mill Spring, see our Mill Spring schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Polk County Middle School Mill Spring | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Polk County Early College Columbus | 3.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Polk County High School Columbus | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Sunny View Elementary School Mill Spring | 6.5 mi | 9.2 |
| Landrum Middle Landrum | 8.1 mi | 6.8 |
| O. P. Earle Elementary Landrum | 8.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Lake Lure Classical Academy Lake Lure | 9.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Tryon Elementary School Tryon | 8.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Landrum High Campobello | 10.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Rutherfordton Elementary School Rutherfordton | 9.3 mi | 9.3 |
| New Prospect Elementary Inman | 12.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Campobello-Gramling School Campobello | 12.9 mi | 4.9 |
| R-S Middle School Rutherfordton | 11.5 mi | 6.9 |
| PINE RIDGE MENNONITE SCHOOL Rutherfordton | 12.7 mi | — |
| R-S Central High School Rutherfordton | 12.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary Chesnee | 12.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Spindale Elementary School Spindale | 12.0 mi | 7.6 |
| WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spindale | 12.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Pinnacle Elementary School Rutherfordton | 14.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Rutherford Early College High School Spindale | 12.5 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28756 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,112
Median Home Value
$275,000
Median Rent
$662/mo
Population
4,468
College Educated
18.9%
Homeownership
79.7%
Avg Commute
35.1 min
Poverty Rate
16.5%
Median Age
46
Community Profile
The community surrounding Polk Central Elementary School has a median household income of $54,112. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $275,000, with a median rent of $662/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork Walkertown, NC | 6.6 |
| District No 7 Elementary Wade, NC | 6.6 |
| Fremont STARS Elementary Fremont, NC | 6.6 |
| Grays Chapel Elementary School Franklinville, NC | 6.6 |
| Hendersonville Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 6.6 |
| Isenberg Elementary Salisbury, NC | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polk Central Elementary School
What grades does Polk Central Elementary School serve?
Polk Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Polk Central Elementary School?
Polk Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 382 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polk Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Polk Central Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polk Central Elementary School rank in NC?
Polk Central Elementary School is ranked #1254 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Polk Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Polk Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Polk Central Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polk Central Elementary School has 63.8% math proficiency and 56.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Polk Central Elementary School a charter school?
No, Polk Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polk Central Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Polk Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polk Central Elementary School?
99.2% of students at Polk Central Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (823/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 382
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (828) 894-8233
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Polk County Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,156
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,041
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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